Tag Archives: Princess Mary

Danish Visit to Latvia

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Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrived in Riga today where they were welcomed by Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis and his wife Iveta Vejone. For the start of this visit, Princess Mary wore a new domed pillbox hat covered in the same finely woven pink tweed as her embellished coat.

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I think a streamlined hat is usually the right choice to pair with an embellished coat but I’m a bit meh about this design- the domed shape of the crown pulls the hat into calot territory where it looks a little clunkier than if the shape had remained flat, like a classic pillbox. The coat is the star here, which is fine, except I have to wonder what’s the point of wearing a hat at all if it’s not going to elevate the overall look? From the side view, I’m really not sure this one does…  I’m hoping you’ll convince me otherwise. The colour is awfully pretty on Mary, but I’m just not sure about the shape.

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#New Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark are visiting Latvia to participate in the celebration of the country’s independence (6th-7th December)🇩🇰🇱🇻 . Day 1: The Crown Prince Couple participated in an official welcoming ceremony on the Castle Square at Riga Castle and are received by the Latvian President and First Lady, Raimonds Vējonis and Iveta Vējone. The Crown Prince Couple and the President and First Lady posed for photographing, after which the Crown Prince Couple sign the guest book. The Crown Prince Couple took part in the placement of flowers at the Freedom Monument in Riga together with the Latvian President and First Lady and the Danish and Latvian culture ministers. The Crown Prince Couple participated in a book donation ceremony at the National Library of Latvia with the Latvian President and First Lady as well as the Danish and Latvian culture ministers. At the ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses hand over a book of particular importance to the National Library of Latvia in connection with Latvia’s 100 years of independence. The Crown Prince Couple took part in an official luncheon hosted by the speaker of the Latvian parliament, Ināra Mūrniece. In addition to the Crown Prince Couple, the Latvian President and First Lady and the Danish and Latvian culture ministers participate. #danishroyals #danishroyalfamily #detdanskekongehus #crownprincessmary #crownprincefrederick #royalcouple #royalfamily #instaroyals #royalnews

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Designer: likely Susanne Yuul
Previously Worn: This hat is new
What do you think of this new Danish hat’s debut in Latvia today?
Photos from Getty as indicated

Last Week’s Extras

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This post is later than usual thanks to a long weekend here in Canada. Stay tuned later today for a review of all the hats seen yesterday at Remembrance Day commemorations in London. 

Princess Hisako in a black hat with red puff feather trim the first weekend of November in Nagoya
Last Monday, members of the Imperial royal family attended a tea party for the recipients of the Order of Culture and the Persons of Cultural Merit at the Imperial Palace. While the Empress and Princess Kiko wore kimonos, Crown Princess Masako topped her pastel silk suit with a matching silk covered hat with high, kettle brim. It looks like the outside of the brim is covered in embroidery.

The Duke of Sussex attended the field of remembrance service at Westminster Abbey last Thursday in the black frockcoat uniform and cap of the Blues and Royals, his former regiment.

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Crown Princess Mary wore a black lace veil last Thursday for a visit to the Vatican
The following new millinery designs caught my eye last week:
Chic mustard felt stylised trilby with amazing crin hatbands from Czech milliner Jolana Kotabova
Such fun ostrich pompom trimmed berets from British milliner William Chambers
Stunning green houndstooth saucer with flying cream under-brim bow from Melbourne milliner Louise MacDonald
Simply beautiful blush straw sidesweep with silk orchids & curling quills from British milliner Vivien Sheriff
Love the lines on this seamed flat cap from London-based milliner Karen Henriksen
Prettiest pink chevron button percher with pearl centered straw bow by Irish milliner Alison Roe
Unique headpiece of interlocking circles (with amazing texture!) from Australian brand Peacock Millinery

And from Melbourne milliner Lauren Ritchie, this  magenta pillbox with brilliantly graphic 3-D trim.

The Imperial royals hosted the final garden party of the Heisei era (Emperor Akihito’s reign) last Friday and braved rain in beautiful kimonos (including Crown Princess Masako, who hasn’t been seen in one in a while).


Wrapping things up with this sweet photo of the Prince of Wales and his youngest grandson, shared in the recent BBC documentary on the prince’s 70th birthday

 

Photos from social media and Getty as indicated

Danish Opening of Parliament 2018

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The Danish Royal Family gathered together today in Copenhagen for the official opening of Parliament. This annual event is often occasion to debut new hats and today, there were three new beauties! Queen Margrethe led her family in a smart new ensemble in cornflower blue. Covered in the same silk crepe as her dress and tailored jacke, the matching brimless hat is simply trimmed with a stitched twist bow on the side. While I think I’d prefer the hat more if it was more of a calot on the back of Margrethe’s head instead of this helmet-like style, its a go-to shape for her and the colour is wonderful. We’ll undoubtedly see the ensemble many times again but I think it’s a good addition to her wardrobe.

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Embed from Getty Images

Designer: likely Peter Falk Hansen
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Crown Princess Mary also wore a new hat, a black felt bumper design with piped crown and small feather spray on the side. I adore the scale and placement, which makes the hat look like a rounded pillbox from some angles. We’ve not seen Princess Mary in many bumper hats (I think this is the first) and this one is also a great addition to her millinery closet.



Designer: Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Princess Marie wore the only repeated hat of the day, her navy calot with large side bow. This remains a great hat for petite Marie, whose hair styled to one side was a great counterpoint to the hats large bow.

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Designer: Whitely
Previously Worn: Oct 8, 2016; May 29, 2016; April 13, 2016; June 5, 2015; April 8, 2015

Princess Benedikte also wore a new hat, a wide brimmed chocolate felt design with simply shaped, rounded crown, trimmed with a felt hatband and autumnal-hued spray of feathers on the side. The combination of hat, chocolate wrap and orange dress is a good one and the ensemble has that effortless elegance we often associate with Princess Benedikte.

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Embed from Getty Images

Designer: unknown- maybe Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: This hat is new

Thoughts about this quartet of royal hats today in Copenhagen?


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💜 All eyes on elegant outfits of Danish royal ladies 😊 💜 • Queen Margretha II and her family attended opening of Parliament today. • Crown Prince Frederick, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie and Princess Benedikte, like every year, are accompanying the Queen. 💖 • • • • #queenmargretheofdenmark #queenmargrethe #crownprincefrederikofdenmark #crownprincefrederik #crownprincessmaryofdenmark #crownprincessmary #princejoachimofdenmark #princejoachim #princessmarieofdenmark #princessmarie #princessbenedikteofdenmark #princessbenedikte #danishroyalfamily #danishroyals #openingofparliament #princechristianofdenmark #princessisabellaofdenmark #princevincentofdenmark #princessjosephineofdenmark #princenikolaiofdenmark #princefelixofdenmark #princehenrikofdenmark #princessathenaofdenmark

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Photos from Getty and social media as indicated

Danish Royals Celebrate Flag Day

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With Queen Margrethe away for her summer cruise and crown Prince Frederik recovering from back surgery, attendance at this year’s annual Flag Day commemoration fell to remaining family members. Crown Princess Mary attended events in Copenhagen, laying a wreath at The Citadel, attending a commemoration service at Holmens Church and watching a parade at Thorvaldsens Plads at Christiansborg Castle. For these events, she repeated her black hat with felt crown and straw brim, simply trimmed with two feathers. It’s a restrained and elegant piece that paired beautifully with her floral dress.

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Det officielle Danmark med H.K.H. Kronprinsessen i spidsen markerer i dag flagdagen for Danmarks udsendte. Markeringen startede med en kranselæggelse ved monumentet på Kastellet og efterfølgende en mindegudstjeneste for Danmarks faldne i Holmens Kirke. Senere på eftermiddagen vil Hendes Kongelige Højhed deltage i en parade for årets udsendte på Thorvaldsens Plads ved Christiansborg Slot. Flagdagen bliver derudover højtideligholdt ved en række lokale arrangementer over hele landet. I Fredericia deltog D.K.H. Prins Joachim og Prinsesse Marie i markeringen af flagdagen. Først med et besøg på Ryes Kaserne og derefter en gudstjeneste i garnisonskirken Sct. Michaelis. Til slut deltog Prinsen og Prinsessen i en parade på Bülows Plads i Fredericia. 📸 Liselotte Sabroe, Ritzau Scanpix og Leon Lindholm ©️

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Designer: Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: Mar 21, 2017; Apr 25, 2015;  Oct 1, 2013; Sep 18, 2013; Oct 2, 2012; Apr 21, 2012; Jul 27, 2011; Apr 9, 2010; Oct 5, 2010; Sep 23, 2006; Sep 6, 2009; Sep 28, 2006; Sep 23, 2006

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie were in Fredericia where they attended a worship service in the garrison church Sct. Michaelis, laid a wreath and watched a parade at Bülows Square. Princess Marie repeated her black headpiece of ruffled black silk organdie. I’ve always liked the delicate way this design frames Marie’s face and the scale, which is as large as an average percher hat, is a very flattering one for her. Black hats can look very flat and one dimensional but this piece has a lovely sense of layered texture and movement while remaining perfectly appropriate for a memorial occasion.


Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: Mar 21, 2017; May 18, 2016; Sep 5, 2015; Apr 16, 2015;  Oct 1, 2013; Sep 5, 2013 
We’ve seen both these hats numerous times before but as they are both so good, I don’t mind taking another look. What do you think of this pair of hats yesterday in Denmark?


Photos from social media as indicated

Carrying Hats Into Royal Life

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 Reader Matthew recently asked, “Are there any occasions anyone can recall where a new royal bride wore hats for official appearances that she already owned in her non-royal life?”

Good question, Matthew! For the purpose of clarity, I’m going to consider “non-royal life” as everything before the royal engagement!

A quick survey of continental European royals has brought few examples, likely because hat wearing beyond casual or sporting designs in mainstream European culture is not common. Aside from Princess Mette-Marit repeating a navy knit ski hat, Sophia Helqvist borrowing one of Crown Princess Victoria’s hats for Princess Lilian’s funeral and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy borrowing one of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s hats for Princess Estelle’s christening in May 2012 (neither which has been repeated, so they don’t really count!), I’ve only come up with one such repeat:

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Black textured straw hat with lace trim worn Nov 5, 2002 to the Melbourne cup and again in Aarhus, Jul 26, 2004

In the UK, however, where hats are more commonly worn for weddings and other events (and several multi-year courtships saw royal girlfriends attend public events), I’ve come up with a few hats worn by royal brides both before their engagements and after their marriages:

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Tall brown felt hat with burgundy velvet trim worn Nov 20, 1997 and Jan 31, 2003

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Chocolate felt hat with faux fur brim from Lock & Co. worn Dec 8, 2002 and Mar 14, 2012

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Black felt Philip Treacy sidesweep with signature bow worn Dec 15, 2006 and Nov 12, 2017

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Ecru straw wide brimmed Philip Treacy design with feathers worn June 2, 2003 and June 9, 2005

OK magazine reported in this article last weekend that the Duchess of Sussex had brought her much worn Madewell fedora into her royal life, incorrectly citing its appearance at Wimbledon. The panama Meghan actually wore to Wimbledon was a finer quality hat from French millinery brand Maison Michel- the Virginie design.

I thus appeal to the marvelous millinery memories of you, dearest readers- can you remember a royal bride bringing a hat from her pre-engagement life forward into her royal one? I imagine these two Philip Treacy designs, worn in 2003 and 2004 by the then Camilla Parker Bowles, were repeated at some point…
Embed from Getty Images  June 1, 2004 in PT | Royal Hats
Photos from Getty as indicated; and Getty Images

Seeing Quadruple: Crown Princess Mary

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Royal HatsWhen Crown Princess Mary wore her pale beigey-pink calot to open a hospital last month,  we were able to catch a good look of the moulded shape of the hat, which sweeps to a gentle teardop point at the back. I suspect the hat came off the same block in Susanne Juul’s studio that was used for the black felt calot Mary has worn often since its introduction in late 2011.

  

Opening Slagelse Hospital on April 17, 2018; At the opening of parliament, October 6, 2015

  

In Slagelse on April 17, 2018; Celebrating Queen Margrethe’s 75th birthday, April 8, 2015

While many doubles of the same style in a royal’s millinery closet is perplexing, this double makes sense to me. When you find a hat in a neutral shade that works so well it becomes a go-to staple, why not add it in another neutral colour?

A deeper search through Mary’s millinery closet shows another, even earlier pair of calots, both in straw with side bow trim that I suspect also came off this block:

  

Visiting  Arlington National Cemetery, June 6, 2010; In Aarhus Sep 8, 2012

Crown Princess Mary’s hat wardrobe is not overly extensive so four hats off the same block is something of note. I find it fascinating, however, to see how the differing materials, colours and trims give each hat a distinctive look. Yes, the shapes are very similar but the finishing of each hat is unique enough to leave each standiing on their own. If you’re going to order the same shapes from the same designer, this, I think, is a master class in how to do it well.

What do you think of this quartet of hats?

Photo from  AFP; Splash News/Corbis; Claus Bech and Julian Parker via Getty;  Bauer Griffin; Edwin Veloo/PPE; 

Danish Crown Prince And Princess In Aarhus

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Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary spent Frederik’s 50th birthday yesterday on a visit to Aarhus. Arriving into the port on the royal yacht Dannebrog, the couple embarked on a program that included an official welcome, a media production company, a gin distillery, and an international sailing center. For these events, Crown Princess Mary wore a white lace dress topped with a magenta headpiece.

The floral headpiece features a large cala lily with stamen filled center and long, slim veined leaves that circle around the back of Princess Mary’s head. The colour is marvelous against Mary’s dark hair and the scale of the piece gives it some significance without competing with the lace dress- a dress that might have gone too ‘garden party’ with a full hat. I also love the styling here, with a neutral purse and pumps and ruby centered earrings as the only link of deep pink. It’s balanced, nuanced, festive and really pretty.
May 23, 2018 in Susanne Juul | Royal Hats
May 23, 2018 in Susanne Juul | Royal Hats  May 23, 2018 in Susanne Juul | Royal Hats
May 23, 2018 in Susanne Juul | Royal Hats
Designer: Susanne Juul
Previously Worn: this headpiece is new
I’ve been critical of numerous headpieces and fascintors here in the past but I wonder if I’ve missed their potential to be good pieces for summery daytime engagements such as this. What do you think of this floral headpiece?
Special thanks to contributor and dear friend to Royal Hats, Inger Stokkink for graciously offering these wonderful photos  here to share. 
Photos from The Danish Monarchy as indicated; Miguel Mielgo and Inger Stokkink. Photos may not be replicated in any way without written permission from their owners.